New York divorce Record Information Online

New York divorce records

How to Access Divorce Records in New York

Before learning about how you can access divorce records in the state of New York, you should know about the two types of such records. They are:

Divorce decree

Divorce certificate

A Divorce Decree is a court prepared document where all the terms and conditions of separation or the divorce are mentioned. However, this official document becomes valid only once the judge signs it. The decree is definitely a divorce record because this contains information about various issues like how the assets and liabilities are divided, issues related to child custody and visitation rights if any, alimony and others. Once all the information is entered and once the judge signs the document, it is the Clerk's office that maintains it as the record of the divorce.

If you want a copy of this document in New York, you must approach the Clerk's office. Do remember that if the divorce occurred before January 1st 1963, then this would be the only document that will exist.

A Divorce Certificate is filed with the State Department of Health. There is a certificate for each divorce that was granted after January 1st 1963. This document contains some basic information about the wife and husband, and place as well as date of the divorce. To get a copy of this document, you need to approach the NY State Department of Health.

Who Can Access a Copy of the Divorce Certificate in New York?

It can be accessed by the husband or wife or both, and anyone who has a court order from a court in the state.

The Fee You Need to Pay for the Divorce Certificate

You must pay $30.00 as the fee to get a copy of the divorce certificate.

You can ask for priority handling. However, for this, you must pay a $15.00 additional fee for each copy of the certificate. The total cost thus becomes $45.00.

You can approach the office in person to make the request. You can also ask for the record over the telephone or through the Internet; these requests are treated on a priority basis and thus the fee is $45.00 for each copy of the record. $7.25 is charged as the fee for vendor processing for each transaction, and not copy. Telephone and Internet orders are to be paid with a credit card.

If you have placed the request through mail, then you can make the payment by cutting a check, or by sending a money order with your application. The payment must be made to the NY Department of Health. Cash payments are not accepted.

You can place your request from another country if you are a US citizen and currently living overseas. Such payments must be made through a check that is drawn on any US bank. You can also send a money order (international). Cash payments are not entertained here, as well.

How Long Does It Take?

Telephone or Internet requests take about 5 to 7 business days.

Mail requests (priority handling) take about 2 to 3 weeks.

Regular mail requests take about 6 to 8 weeks.

New York Divorce Certificates

To request a New York divorce certificate, please follow the directions below:

Step 2. Read all the instructions and complete the form with the information about the husband, wife, date of divorce, and place of divorce.

Step 3. State your purpose for the request and your relationship to the parties on the document. Be sure to make a legible copy of your ID to include with the form. Then sign and date at the bottom of the form.

Step 4. Mail the completed form to the below address, along with a check or money order for $30 for each copy, and an extra $15 if you wish priority handling.

New York Divorce Records

About New York Divorce Records

In New York, there are two types of divorce records. The original divorce decree is the document that was filed with the County Clerk in the county where the petitioner lived. Anyone who was a party on the divorce and wants a full divorce decree must request it directly from the County Clerk.

A divorce certificate, with the names of the husband and wife, date of divorce, and place where marriage ended, can be obtained from the New York State Department of Health. Only divorce records after January 1, 1963 can be requested.

Who May Obtain A New York Divorce Certificate?

Only the husband or wife listed on the divorce may request a certified copy. Other persons with a New York State court order may also make a request. Proper and valid ID is required.

What Are The Fees for a Divorce Certificate?

A $30 fee is required for each copy of a divorce certificate. Anyone may request a priority mail via UPS for an additional $15. Internet orders through the vendor, VitalCheck, must also pay the UPS priority fee, plus an additional $7.50.

Divorce Records Search

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